Reviewer's Choice

Created and compiled by Kelly Whit (who creates puzzles of 'Country Woman' magazines, and newspapers throughout Wisconsin) "Badger Brain Twisters: Wisconsin Trivia, Games, Puzzles, and More!" is a compendium of crosswords, sudoku, cryptoquotes, trivia quizzes, trivia quizzes, word finds, and other puzzles with a Wisconsin theme. In addition to providing hours and hours of cerebral fun, "Badger Brain Twisters" offers a wealth of information about the Badger State's history, natural wonders, sports, celebrities, and folklore. Of special note is that all the answers to all the puzzles are faithfully recorded at the back of the book. "Badger Brain Twisters is perfect for road trips, rainy days, or simply killing time.

Simply stated, the Packers are Wisconsin's pride and joy. From the gold age of the legendary coach Vince Lombardi and memorable players like Brett Farve, down to the present day team, Wisconsin's premier professional football team continues to enjoy the support of the Badger state's Green-and-Gold faithful. Now Wisconsin historian and Packer fan Don Davenport has compiled more than 450 questions and answers in "Green Bay Packers: Titletown Trivia Teasers" that will prove to be an essential reference for all dedicated Packer fans -- as well as settling many a bar bet with such minutiae as who holds the Super Bowl record for the longest kickoff return?; who as the Packer's first Turkey Day opponent?; which Packer quarterback was sacked the most times in a single game? and so very much more. A fabulous little compendium of information, Don Davenport's "Green Bay Packers: Titletown Trivia Teasers" should be a part of every Wisconsin highschool, college, and community library Sports & Athletics reference collection.

Michael Orban served as a 20-year-old infantry soldier in Vietnam and in his superbly written autobiography "Souled Out: A Memoir Of War And Inner Peace" takes the reader along on his journey through a disastrous war and into his experiences of loneliness, emptiness, spiritual scarring and psychological destruction. Michael writes candidly of his time in the remote jungles of Africa and a world where humanity is mired in superstitions, omens, black magic, witchcraft, sickness, disease, and every present death. Yet it is also a story of the simplistic beauty in people who are intimately connected to all of life and reverently dependent for purpose on their spirit world and their ancestor worship. Here presented are the oral historians reciting the history of their people, their suffering at the hands of the European colonists. "Souled Out" is also the story of Michael's recovering of spirit and peach through using native resources to build schools, reading the works of Albert Schweitzer while being hospitalized in Gabon, and laughing at Mark Twain's observations and stories. The underlying message of "Souled Out" is that the psychological wounds of war are as serious as the physical ones and can be remedied and recovered from, and that there is relief for and from them. Informed and informative, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Souled Out" is highly recommended reading and an especially appropriate addition to community library American Biography collections.

The Military Shelf

At the age of 18, Vincent Krepps and his twin brother Richard joined the army and were sent overseas to fight in the Korean War. Vincent returned alive. His brother did not. "One Came Home" is a very personal and candid account of the Korean War that includes the emotion, confusion, heroism, and brutality of Vincent's war time experiences. Deftly described is Vincent's anguish at losing his brother in the war and his personal crusade to have his fallen and missing comrades honored and remembered. Having earned a Silver Star for bravery, Vincent writes with a very special authority of his efforts to recover American POW's and MIA's from the Korean War (including his brother Richard). Very nicely illustrated throughout, "One Came Home" is a valued and valuable contribution to the growing library of Korean War biographies and memoirs, and a welcome addition to personal, academic, and community library Military History & Biography collections.

Compiled and edited by Carol Adele Kelly (Project Officer and Copy Editor of 'The Officer' magazine), "Voices of My Comrades: America's Reserve Officers Remember World War II" is a collection of written experiences by members of the Reserve Officers Association of the United States (the nation's oldest such professional military organization) in a special project undertaken over a five year period. This remarkable 547-page anthology of anecdotal stories contributed by 240 veterans track the four years of World War II month by month, representing all the war-time theaters, and come from men of all ranks and from all services - including personal accounts by Women Airforce Service Pilots. Enhanced with the inclusion of photographs, a chronology, and an informative historical introduction, "Voices of My Comrades" is a seminal work that ranges from personal accounts of survival, Nazi extermination camps, and the bombing of unmarked Japanese ships transporting American POWs from the Philippines near the war's end. Simply stated, "Voices of My Comrades" is a superbly informative addition to any personal, academic, or community library World War II military reference collection.

Hans Frank served in the Federal German navy from 1961 to 1999, ultimately rising to hold the position of Commanding Officer of the S-Boat Flotilla. He is also the founder of the S-Boat Flotilla Veterans' Association whose archive contains personal histories submitted by former S-Boat men. The author of several studies respecting S-Boat operations, Frank draws upon his many years of experience and expertise in "German S-Boats In Action In The Second World War" to provide the first comprehensive English-language study of the S-Boat 'schnellboot') actions during World War II in all the theatres where they were deployed. The S-Boat (in English they were called E-Boats) was the German 40-knot motor torpedo boat that had a history of controversy going back to the pre-war period of German naval rearmament. When war broke out, the S-Boat proved to be an effective naval weapon and was put into action in all areas of operations from the North Cape, to the Mediterranean, to the English Channel, to the Baltic and Black Sea theatres. "German S-Boats In Action In The Second World War" is a profusely illustrated history of this particularly effective German naval craft that will have particular appeal for World War II military history buffs, as well as an invaluable addition to academic library 20th Century Naval Military History reference collections.

The Needlecraft Shelf

Writer of the crafts column 'Notions' for the Raleigh, North Carolina publication 'News & Observer', Marcy Smith is a veteran needlecrafter who began crocheting at the age of 8. In "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Crochet Projects Illustrated" Marcy lays out illustrated step-by-step instructions for sixty crocheting projects that will enable even the most novice of needlecraft enthusiasts to turn out truly remarkable and fun crochet projects ranging from hair scrunchies, bookmarks, and backpacks, to pillows, hats, finger puppets and Kitty Bonbons! Offering a quick refresher on hooks, fibers, stitches, reading patterns, and seaming techniques, "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Crochet Projects Illustrated" also provides detailed lists of the yarns, notions, and everything else each project requires. Of special note are Marcy's insider tips on such things as adding crochet embellishments and edgings, to picking up dropped stitches. "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Crochet Projects Illustrated" is the perfect beginners guide and a highly recommended addition to personal and community library Needlecraft instructional reference collections.

Knowledgeably compiled and deftly co-edited by Sarah-Marie Belcastro (Co-Director, Hamshire College Summer Studies in mathematics and Visiting Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Smith College) and Carolyn Yackel (Mathematics Instructor, Mercer University), "Making Mathematics With Needlework: Ten Papers And Ten Projects" is unique in that it combines mathematics papers with fiber arts project instructions. Each chapter showcases a particular project and that project features sections on mathematics and mathematics education along with detailed instructions for completing the needlecraft project. The featured projects include a Quilted Mobius Band (making a mobius quilt); Diphantine Equations (making a bi-directional hat); Sierpinski Variatins (making a Sierpinski shawl); a Two Knit Stiches Tours; Symmetry Patterns in Cross-Stitch; Algebraic Structure (making algebraic socks); Fortunatus's Purse; (K)Not Cables and Braids (making a pillow of Braid Equivalence); The Graph Theory of Blackwork Embroidery (embroidering a Holbeinian Graph); and making Hyperbolic Pants. Profusely illustrated, the text is fully accessible to non-specialist general readers with an interest in needlecraft, in the mathematics underlying needlecraft, as well as having a very special attraction for math students and fiber art enthusiasts alike.

Simply stated, "Picture Yourself Decorating Cakes" by professional pastry chef Linda Shonk and freelance writer and book editor Sandy Doell is the ideal instruction guide and manual that will enable even the most novice kitchen cook to turn out superbly and imaginatively decorated cakes of all kinds for any and all events. Enhanced with an accompanying instructional DVD, "Picture Yourself Decorating Cakes" leads off with chapters dealing with 'Pantry Basics' and 'Tools of the Trade'. This is followed by 'Baking the Cakes', a comprehensive chapter offering a culinary wealth of easy-to-make frostings and fillings. Then aspiring chefs are instructed with chapters focusing on 'Simple Decorating Techniques' and 'Decorating Cakes using Fondant and Royal Icing'. Of special note are the appendices 'Things That Are Good To Know' covering various aspects of measuring, and 'The Fondant Class on DVD'. Profusely illustrated on every page, "Picture Yourself Decorating Cakes" is truly exceptional and enthusiastically recommended for personal, professional, highschool and community library collections.

Comfort foods are those simple, unsophisticated dishes that are a staple of family dining because of their ease of preparation, appetite satisfaction, nutritious components, and great taste. 'The Farmer's Wife' was a successful 46 year run as a popular publication devoted to bringing its readers (especially rural farm women) a compendium of advice on household issues, concerns, and menus. More than three hundred of the best of those magazine recipes have been compiled by Lela Nargi into "The Farmer's Wife Comfort Food Cookbook" and with some adaptation have been made appropriate for preparation in modern family kitchens. Beginning with chapters on how to use this book it its best advantage and a few kitchen basics, the recipes are arranged into collections of sandwiches and snacks, soups, egg dishes, cheese dishes, noodles and rice, stews and casseroles, meat and fish, vegetables, sweets, and drinks. From Cream of Potato Soup; Cheese Pudding; Baked Creole Rice; and Tamale Pie; to Swedish Meat Balls; Baked Squaw Corn; Tomatoes in batter; and Coconut Macaroons, "The Farmer's Wife Comfort Food Cookbook" offers a wealth of culinary delights suitable for any and every family dining occasion. Designed so it can lay out flat on a kitchen counter or table, "The Farmer's Wife Comfort Food Cookbook" is enhanced with black-and-white photos, period menus, and publication dates for each featured recipes, making it a welcome and enthusiastically recommended addition to family and community library cookbook collections.

Compiled by recipe writer and food stylist Jody Vassallo, "Lunch" is the latest addition to the Marie Claire cookbook series from Thunder Bay Press. Showcasing ninety-five lunch recipes, each of which is illustrated by a full-page color photograph of the finished dish, "Lunch" offers a culinary wealth of mouth-watering, appetite pleasing, gourmet quality recipes organized into chapters devoted to soups; pasta, noodles, and rice; seafood; poultry; meat; vegetables, and desserts. Of special note is the beginning section dedicated to 'Quick Ideas', a gallery of lovely photographs of quick and easy offerings that range from thickly sliced Turkish pide bread with olive tapenade and springs of thyme, to crunch grissini served with guava juice and soda., to a scoop of ice cream in a chocolate waffle cone pressed with gold leaf. An elegant yet thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly' compendium of wonderful dishes that would grace any luncheon table or special occasion, "Lunch" is an enthusiastically recommended and inexpensive addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.

Inspired by the culinary traditions of southern Louisiana's beautiful plantations along the Atchafalaya Basin country, the "Acadian Plantation Country Cookbook" is a compilation of superbly presented recipes selected and compiled by bed and breakfast operator Anne Butler whose B&B is located on her family homestead in the historic Butler Greenwood Plantation -- which has been in her family since the 1790s. Therefore Anne brings to bear a very special expertise with recipes ranging from Smothering Beef -- Cajun Style; Louisiana Grits Bread; Crawfish Gumbo; and Jim Bowie's Hush Puppies; to Fried Alligator; Chretien Point Plantation Praline French Toast; Cajun Classic Boudin; and Richard's Smoked Sausage Jambalaya. The recipes are organized according to the plantation they are associated with and interspersed in an informative text and historic photographs illustrating each particular plantation whose cuisine is being showcased. An elegant tribute to Louisiana's culinary traditions, Anne Bulter's "Acadian Plantation Country Cookbook" is a highly prized and recommended addition to family and community library cookbook collections.

Publications International has published an impressive series of 'brand name cookbooks'. A brand-name cookbook is a cookbook that takes as its theme a particular corporate brand name and the recipes it contains incorporate or feature that company's particular line of products. This new series of distinctive cookbooks includes "Campbell's Casseroles" (9781412725873) featuring recipes using as their base the Campbell soup company's various products. "Jell-O Favorite Deserts" (9781412725897); "Ortega Mexican Fiesta" (9781412725774); and "Land O Lakes Recipe Collection" (9781412726221) likewise are compilations of recipes showcasing these brand name food companies various products as ingredients for their respective recipe collections. "Rival Crock Pot Slow Cooker Recipes" (9781412721837) and "Reynolds Cooking With Foil" offer recipes that are prepared using a Rival brand crockpot or Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil respectively. The last two titles in this outstanding and novel series are the "Cookie Cookbook" and "The Pizza Cookbook" where recipes calling for a brand name ingredient are identified by a colorful picture of the brand name bottle or package of that particular ingredient. Each of these highly recommended additions to any family cookbook collection are printed on stiff paper and resemble grown-up versions of a preschooler's board book. Every dish is illustrated in full color and virtually all the step-by-step recipes are thoroughly 'kitchen cook friendly', resulting in dishes that will please any palate and satisfy any appetite.

Louisiana's culinary traditions are rooted in ethnic influences provided by the French, Spanish, Italian, African, and Native American elements of its history. The result are the very special culinary categories of Cajun and Creole cuisines. Edie Hand, in collaboration with William G. Paul, have compiled 150 authentic regional recipes, as well as an historical survey of significant events in Louisiana culinary history and the unique cultural food customs of the region in "Cajun And Creole Cooking With Miss Edie And The Colonel". the recipes include classic sauces, breakfast dishes, appetizers, dips, soups and gumbos, entrees, vegetables, and desserts ranging from Cajun/Creole Seafood Dip; Creole Mayonnaise; Cajun Sauce Piquant; and New Orleans Creole Jambalaya; to Creole Zucchini and Tomatoes; Cajun Fried Chicken; Creole Shrimp and Crab Meat Quiche; and Cajun Syrup Cake. Of special note is the appendices featuring Cajun/Creole Resources; Cajun and Creole Restaurants, Nightclubs, and Dance Halls; Famous Festivals of Louisiana; Tables, Measurements, and Equivalents; a Selected Bibliography; Historical Louisiana Cookbook References, an Index, and 'Colonel Paul's Seasoning Blend'. "Cajun And Creole Cooking With Miss Edie And The Colonel" is a welcome and recommended addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections.

The Antiques/Collectibles Shelf

Carved ivory from Asia, particular from China and Japan, has long been highly prized by European and American collectors and are a staple of regional and national art museums around the world. "Asian Ivory" by antiques expert Jeffrey B. Snyder concentrates on nineteenth and early twentieth century ivory carvings, along with brush holders and wrist rests for scholars, cricket cages, card cases, match holders, sword hilts, and sword scabbards. Enhanced with more than six hundred full color photographs showcasing magnificent examples, the informed and informative text provides an historical overview and history of the ivory trade, laced with quotations of nineteenth century European travelers and their encounters with Japanese ivory carvers and merchants. The inclusion of folk tales provides fascinating insights into the figural characters carved in ivory and the beliefs they personified for their carvers. A superb reference work of impeccable scholarship, "Asian Ivory" will be of immense interest to collectors and dealers of Asian ivory, and is highly recommended for non-specialist general readers with an interest in Asian culture in general, and ivory carvings in particular.

Warman's is a very respected name in the field of antique and collectibles identification and price guides. "Warman's Sporting Collectibles" focuses upon hunting and fishing-related collectibles from duck decoys to fishing lures, from rods and reels to shot shell boxes, from advertising materials to postage stamps. Enhanced with more than one thousand color photos, "Warman's Sporting Collectibles" also features alerts for possible fakes for each type of collectible, includes essential identification and pricing details, and offers invaluable, practical collecting advice that will be of particular interest for the novice collector. A very highly recommended reference for collectors and dealers in sporting memorabilia and antiques, "Warman's Sporting Collectibles" is an essential, core addition to personal, professional, and community library Antiques/Collectibles reference collections.

The Pets/Wildlife Shelf

Beautifully illustrated throughout with color photography, "Seasons Of The Horse: A Practical Guide To Year-Round Equine Care" by horse owner, trainer, and professional competitor Jackie Budd is a 272-page compendium of basic information pertaining to all aspects of proper care and management for both staple-kept and field-kept horses throughout every season of the year. "Seasons Of The Horse" will reveal to novice horse enthusiasts how horses think, how their natural behavior is affected by the way they are cared for, and how their performance and their relationship with their rider can be enhanced for the benefit of both. Beginning with an opening section of four chapters dealing with lifestyle options, the principles of feeding, routine health care, and year-round health conditions, "Seasons Of The Horse" goes on to cover carrying for the horse in the conditions of Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. All aspects of caring for the horse at all given points of the year are addressed including pasture management, summer riding, the cost involved, grooming the field-kept horse, and so much more. If you own a horse, or if you are contemplating horse ownership, "Seasons Of The Horse" should be considered mandatory reading and a core addition to personal and community library Pet & Wildlife reference collections in general, and Horse Care reference collections in particular. Also very highly recommended from TFH Publications (a premier publisher of animal care books) are two other titles for horse owners and riders: Elizabeth Iliff's "Good Horsekeeping: A Comprehensive Guide To All Things Equine" and Sharon Foley's Getting To Yes: Clicker Training for Improved Horsemanship".

Illustrated throughout with gorgeous color photography, Unleashed: Climbing Canines, Hiking Hounds, Fishing Fidos, and Other Daring Dogs is a book for dog lovers ages seven to seventy (in human years, that is!). From a floppy-eared German shepherd who accompanies his owner snowshoe hiking or on cross-country ski tours, to a golden retriever who loves windsurfing, to a boulder-climbing pug, the cross-range of passionate active canines is sure to surprise and delight. Every two pages features a brief description of the individual man's (or woman's) best friend and stunning photographic imagery. A real treat for pet lovers and a source of ideas for anyone considering new ways to enjoy physical activity with their pet dogs.

The collaborative work of Randall M. MacDonald (Interim Director of Roux Library at Florida Southern College), Nora E. Galbraith (Florida Southern College librarian), and James G. Rogers Jr. (Professor of Art and Art History at Florida Southern College and an expert in Wright-designed buildings, "The Buildings Of Frank Lloyd Wright At Florida Southern College" focuses on what is the largest single-site collection of the famed (and controversial) American architect's unique structures. Profusely illustrated with black-and-white photography throughout, "The Buildings Of Frank Lloyd Wright At Florida Southern College" displays Wright's geographic and other thematic elements which he combined and recombined in ongoing visually harmonic three-dimensional iterations. Featuring vintage images of Wright's building construction that was to span more than twenty years of his career, "The Buildings Of Frank Lloyd Wright At Florida Southern College" is a unique and highly prized contribution to professional, and academic Architectural Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists for non-specialist general readers with an interest in the life and work of Frank Lloyd Wright. Also very highly recommended from Arcadia Publishing is "Postcards Of America: The Buildings Of Frank Lloyd Wright At Florida Southern College" (9780738525112, $9.99) which is a compendium of fifteen historic picture postcards, each of which showcases a black-and-white image and can be detached and used as a postcard through the U.S. mails.

Simply stated, the key to profitable renovation of old homes is knowing what to restore and what to replace. "Renovating & Restyling Vintage Homes" by remodeling and house renovation expert Lawrence Dworin (who draws upon his more than thirty years of experience and expertise in the field) provides professionals (as well as do-it-yourself enthusiasts) with a compendium of tips, tricks and techniques for restoring or fabricating interior and exterior design elements that make Victorian and Craftsman houses truly exceptional works of architectural style and interior design excellence. Readers will learn the technique of maximum value remodeling, the enormous potential available in the older home market (even in the real estate slump as is currently underway), how to profit through a vintage home rehabilitation, enhance the profit margin for a successful renovation, and create a sustained business reputation for competence and excellence within the vintage home remodeling marketplace. Anyone seeking to establishing themselves as career a vintage home restorer should have a copy of Lawrence Dworin's instructively informative "Renovating & Restyling Vintage Homes" on their professional reference shelf.

Part of the outstanding Abbeville Press 'Great Country Houses' series, "The Great Country House Of Poland" combines the informed and informative text by Lord Michael Pratt with the stunningly beautiful photography of Gerhard Trumler to showcase some of Poland's magnificent estates located in picturesque valleys and alongside river systems. Included are representative examples of the manor houses and medieval castles that were built, occupied, and remodeled by the Polish aristocracy. Of special note and interest are the full color photography of architectural details. "The Great Country Houses Of Poland" concludes with a house-by-house survey describing and commenting on restorations (or the lack thereof) of the featured estates as they exist today. Also very highly recommended for both academic and community library Architectural Studies reference collections are the two other titles in this impressive series by Lord Michael Pratt and Gerhard Trumler: "The Great Country Houses Of Hungary" (9780789208934, $39.95) and "The Great Country Houses Of The Czech Republic And Slovakia" (9780789208934, $39.95).

Samuel Abraham Marx was an architect, furniture designer, connoisseur, and collector who worked during the early decades of the 20th century. Profusely illustrated with more than 200 images, "Ultramodern Samuel Marx: Architect, Designer, Art Collector" by Liz O'Brien (a decorative arts dealer specializing in modern design) is the first monograph of a once relatively obscure by nowadays increasingly influential American designer. "Ultramodern Samuel Marx" is the product of ten years of research and includes many of his undiscovered projects, including houses that he designed but which have been razed (despite preservationist protest) as well as his unique furniture designs. Properly providing context to his place in the history of twentieth century architecture and design, "Ultramodern Samuel Marx" is an informed and informative showcase of a remarkable talent whose hallmark was to so skillfully combine architecture and furniture designs so that they complemented and supported each other both esthetically and functionally. A superb and insightful introduction, "Ultramodern Samuel Marx" is a very strongly recommended addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library American Architecture reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

The Gaming Shelf

In the game of chess, the opening move is always with White. The Classical Sicilian is one of the most popular Black opening responses to White and has been the preferred opening for such luminary players as Vladimir Kramnik, Alexei Shirov and Vishy Anand. White has a variety of defensive moves to the Classical Sicilian opening that range from Bobby Fischer's Sozin Attack to the often utilized Richter-Rauzer Attack. In "Starting Out: Classical Sicilian", chess masters Alexander Raetsky and Maxim Chetverik collaborate to provide novice players with an instructive survey and tutorial in its uses by elaborating on critically important early moves and plans for Black when employing it and White when defending against it. All the main lines are thoroughly covered and provide clear, step-by-step explanations of the fundamentals of Classical Sicilian, along with copious notes, tips and warnings with respect to the ideas and concepts that underlay it. A thoroughly 'user friendly' how-to manual, "Starting Out: Classical Sicilian" is a core addition to all personal or community library chess reference collections..

Sudoku is a Japanese polymath logic game that has become enormously popular with Americans. Laid out in squares similar to crossword puzzles, the object is to determine numerical sequences that fit the patterns presented. Vertical is a premier publisher of Sudoku puzzle collections that will provide hours (even days) of fun and challenge for both the novice Sudoku player as well as the more experienced Sudoku enthusiast. Three of their outstanding and highly recommended collections are Sudoku expert and world champion Tetsuya Nishio's "Higher Sudoku: New Variations From Japan" (9781932234305, $9.95) and "Even Higher Sudoku: More Challenges From The Master" (9781932234770, $9.95). Also highly recommended for logic puzzle fans are their impressive collections "More O'Ekaki: Paint By Numbers From Its Inventor" (9781932234763, $9.95) and Kenji Onishi's "O'Ekaki: Pain by Sudoku (9781932234312, $9.95) where the completion of the puzzle results in a distinctive image. Dedicated Sudoku and O'Ekaki players would be well advised to visit the Vertical Inc. website at www.vertical-inc.com for a complete listing of their available and forthcoming puzzle books.

The German compact care took the American automotive marketplace by storm and for almost two decades took increasing marketplace shares from the American automotive companies including GM, Ford and Chrysler who were slow to realize the demand for simple, fuel-efficient cars. VW's (affectionately referred to as Beetles by their owners and the general public) had as one of the main selling points the continuity of their basic design from year to year. Yet there were subtle changes in their make-up. James Richardson's "VW Beetle: Specifications Guide 1949-1967" is a comprehensive and informative guide to VW paint and trim colors, covers all the 6-volt cars, model-year by model-year specifications changes, details of Beetle export and cars built outside of Germany, explanations of vehicle codes, Beetle history, Beetle production details, documentation of Beetle-based conversions, and a full listing of factory-fitted optional equipment. Very nicely enhanced with the inclusion of more than 350 full-color photographs, a bibliography, and an index, the "VW Beetle: Specifications Guide 1949-1967" is a core addition to professional and academic library Automotive History reference collections and informative reading for the legions of VW Beetle fans and enthusiasts!

The Art Shelf

Currently associated with the Art History Institute in Florence, Italy, Steffi Roettgen brings to bear an impressive level of expertise to this compendium of informed commentary and stunning examples of Italian art masterpieces in "Italian Frescoes: The Baroque Era, 1600-1800". Beautifully enhanced with the photography of Antonio Quattrone and Ghigo Roli, this 440-page coffee-table book features 330 illustrations of which 260 are in full color -- including lavish full- and double-page color plates, many of which feature recently restored frescoes. "Italian Frescoes: Baroque Era, 1600-1800" celebrates and provides historical context for twenty-five fresco cycles, each of which represents a notable achievement in the history of Italian art. Represented are masterworks by such luminaries as Domenichino, Sabastiano Ricci, Guercino, and Tiepolo. Their works of art still visible today on the walls and ceilings of palaces and churches from Venice to Naples to Rome. The concluding volume of the simply outstanding five volume series on Italian fresco art published by the Abbeville Press, "Italian Frescoes: The Baroque Era, 1600-1800" is an impressive, important and very strongly recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library Art History reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Deftly compiled and edited by B. Byron Price (Director of the University of Oklahoma Press, as well as Director of the Charles M. Russell Center and Charles Marion Russell Chair of Art History, University of Oklahoma), "Charles M. Russell: A Catalogue Raisonne" is a superb collection of paintings, sketches, sculptures, illustrated letters, and stories by one of the finest artists ever to record images of the American West. Featuring more than 200 color and black-and-white reproductions of Russell's most famous works, "Charles M. Russell: A Catalogue Raisonne" includes informed and informative essays by Brian W. Dippie (Professor of History, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada); Peter H. Hassrick (Director o the Institute of Western American Art, Denver Museum of Art); Rick Stewart (Senior Curator of Western Paintings and Sculpture, The Amon Carter Museum, Forth Worth, Texas); historian and actor Raphael J. Cristy; collector and Russell authority Ginger K. Renner; and B. Byron Price. A core addition to personal, academic, and community library American Art History reference collections, "Charles M. Russell: A Catalogue Raisonne" is especially recommended to the attention of scholars, collectors, curators, art dealers, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the life and work of Charles M. Russell.

The Civil War Shelf

James Denny is a historian with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. John Bradbury is Senior Manuscript Specialist at the Western Historical Manuscript Collection in Rolla, Missouri. Together these two experts have collaborative to write "The Civil War's First Blood: Missouri 1854-1861". Missouri was a border state that saw increasing conflict over the issues of states' rights and slavery during the 1850s that would result in divided loyalties between the North and the South among families, friends and neighbors resulting in confrontation and violence that would eventually erupt into open civil war. This is the story of a slave state surrounded by adjoining free states, of Governor Claiborne Jackson's advocacy of secessionism that failed to find support among a majority of Missouri's citizenry and lead to his being chased by U.S. forces directed by general Nathaniel Lyon and U.S. Representative Frank Blair -- men determined to secure Missouri for the Union. This is also the story of Kansas Jayhawkers raiding Missouri towns along the length of the Kansas-Missouri border, and of Confederate forces coming up from Arkansas but failing to establish a permanent influence in favor of the Southern cause. Profusely illustrated, "The Civil War's First Blood" is a fascinating and informative read, as well as a valued and recommended addition to personal, academic, and community library American Civil War reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Co-authored by Hazel Dicken-Garcia (Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Minnesota) and journalism/free speech researcher Giovanna Dell'Orto, "Hated Ideas And the American Civil War Press" presents a detailed and comprehensive analysis of newspaper coverage of such controversial subjects as abolitionism and slavery during the period of the American Civil War. The basic findings are that the Civil War conflict strengthened the idea of journalism's responsibility to the public, that newspaper editors often held eloquent free speech discussion, and that even opposition presses were sometimes defended under the ideals of free speech. Nevertheless, it was often the case that the principles of free speech and the tolerance for opposing ideas was not adhered to in the heat of events arising under wartime conditions. "Hated Ideas And the American Civil War Press" is a fascinating read that is an informed and informative as it is thoughtful and thought-provoking. A work of impressive and seminal scholarship that is especially commended reading for journalism students, free speech advocates, and Civil War buffs. Also available in a hardcover edition (9780922993895, $79.95), "Hated Ideas And the American Civil War Press" is a unique and highly recommended edition to personal, academic, and community library Civil War Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

Compiled, organized and edited by Lisa Tendrich Frank, "Women In The American Civil War" is a two volume compendium focusing specifically on the women who played vital roles from the home front to the battlefield during the four years of the American civil war. Largely unknown, these women and their contributions are now showcased and presented for the benefit of scholars and civil war buffs with an interest in civil war history more than 300 alphabetically organized entries identify the individual women, their organizations, battles, and women's roles that are associated with all aspects of the civil war conflict. Featuring fourteen contextual essays covering the lives and experiences of women in both the North and the South, both slave and free, immediately prior to the outbreak of war, during the years of conflict, as well as after the Confederate defeat, "Women In The American Civil War" is further enhanced with contributions by more than one hundred experts in the field of civil war historical research, original documents (including letters and diary entries) that personalize the historical data; a detailed chronology of Civil war events while highlighting those particularly affecting women; and an extensive bibliography of primary and secondary sources. Thoroughly 'user friendly', "Women In The American Civil War" is a seminal and important contribution to the growing library of Civil War reference literature and an important, core addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library collections.

The Education Shelf

Written in full awareness of the requirements imposed upon public schools by the No Child Left Behind Act, Tests that Teach: Using Standardized Tests to Improve Instruction is a resource designed to help educators enable students to perform to their fullest potential. Chapters discuss the types of questions that routinely appear upon standardized tests, sample multiple-choice and constructed-response questions, recommendations for creating daily lessons that encourage students to practice the skills and knowledge they will need for high-stakes tests, suggested world-lists and educational games, recommendations for a learning community that fosters collaboration among teachers and high performance in students, and much more. Author Karen Tankersley is a twenty-eight year veteran of public school service, who presents her extensive experience in reader-friendly plain terms. Highly recommended.

"Math At Their Own Pace: Child-Directed Activities For Developing Early Number Sens" by Greg Nelson (Professor of Early Childhood Education, Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, Massachusetts) offers classroom teachers and home-schooling parents with a series of pre-designed, inexpensive activities to use with young children that will provide them with a broad range of fun and informative hands-on math experiences enabling them to learn how to solve problems creatively. The children will achieve an awareness of stable quantities and acquire counting skills to 10 and beyond, become able to recognize and write the numerals 0 through 9, and obtain a whole-part mathematical awareness. Enhanced with recommended ways to present these learning activities to children, and offering guidance on reacting to various student responses, plus customizing variations that tailor the activities to children's specific abilities and interest levels, "Math At Their Own Pace" will prove to be an invaluable and thoroughly 'user friendly' resource ideal for preschool and elementary school curriculums.

Specifically designed for use by students in grades 7 through 12, "Supreme Court Decisions: Scenarios, Simulations, and Activities for Understanding and Evaluating 14 Landmark Court Cases" by academician and curriculum developer Jeffrey D. Stocks introduces the United States Supreme Court and how it makes landmark decisions that has influenced and shaped American public life and government. Through the illustrative use of fourteen actual court cases ranging from Dred Scott v. Sanford that dealt with slavery, to Brown v. Board of Education that dealt with race-based discrimination in education, to Miranda v. Arizona that dealt with the rights of persons accused of crimes, "Supreme Court Decisions" will enable students to gain perspectives of Americans living during historical periods of time, how the United States Constitution has been interpreted to resolve matters in diverse and often complex social issues, how to make predictions and judge a case for themselves through the use of critical and creative thinking. "Supreme Court Decisions" is very strongly recommended for both classroom and home-schooling curriculums.

Written by professor of elementary social studies Rahima C. Wade, Social Studies for Social Justice: Teaching Strategies for the Elementary Classroom is a guide to using social action and social justice activities in the elementary school classroom, the better to teach children about the value of getting involved. Chapters discuss practical undertakings as well as theories and ideals, covering how to create a socially just classroom community, valuable teaching strategies, the role of activism and community connections, and much more. "When community members enter the classroom to talk about their life experiences, students get a window into time periods and perspectives they might not have encountered otherwise. The mission of social studies education is to develop informed and active citizens and the practice of social justice work is one of the best means for reaching that goal." Highly recommended.

The collaborative work of academicians Richard W. Beach, Amanda Haertling Thein, and Daryl Parks, "High School Students' Competing Social Worlds: Negotiating Identities And Allegiances In Response To Multicultural Literature" focuses upon how working-class high school students identity construction is influenced, shaped and affected by discourses and cultural practices experienced in their classroom, school, family, sports, community, and workplaces. Of particular value for pre-service and in-services classroom teachers engaged in developing their own literature curriculum and instructional methods, "High School Students' Competing Social Worlds" shows how responding to the cultural differences in these diverse settings presents a set of challenges to teenage allegiances to 'status quo discourses and cultural models'. Also covered are means by where classroom teachers can motivate their students to clarify and alter their value stances with respect to issues of race, gender, and class, as well as providing support for (and validation of) their self-interrogation. Based on current theory and research, and utilizing case-study profiles and analysis of classroom discussion, "High School Students' Competing Social Worlds" is especially recommended and instructive reading for understanding the role of institutions in shaping adolescent identities and lives, as well as identifying the needs that must be addressed to improve those institutions.

Business coach and Director of the MBA Admissions Studio (www.mbastudio.net) A.V. Gordon presents MBA Admissions Strategy: From Profile Building To Essay Writing, a step-by-step guide to creating a successful MBA application with particular emphasis on essay writing. Chapters cover how to present one's personal profile in an optimum light, what MBA admissions personnel are looking for in applicants, principles of better writing and much more. "Expect your readers to constantly be asking the pointed question, 'So what?' If you give them a fact, a story, an observation or any other piece of information, they will want to know: Why is this relevant? Why am I reading this about you? What understanding about you do I get form it? What am I learning about your growth, transition, development, experience or insight? Why does this advance your candidacy? It is your job to answer these 'so what's' by showing how each piece of your essay connects to you and your argument for an admissions ticket, and framing this, at least in part, in human resources and organizational behaviour terms." Highly recommended.

The Money/Finance Shelf

Paying for College: Lowering the Cost of Higher Education is a book that literally pays for itself and then some. Guiding readers through the basics of college financial aid, making the most of one's money, navigating the process of applying for assistance, calculating one's need, evaluating aid packages, and much more, Paying for College uses easy-to-follow language and step-by-step how-to instructions to simply a complex process. A wealth of additional resources, including a website reference list, EFC worksheets, and sample appeal letters round out this "must-have" for every college applicant who isn't independently wealthy!

The Jobs/Careers Shelf

Certified Career Management Coach and Nationally Certified Resume Writer Susan Britton Whitcomb presents 30 Day Job Promotion: Build a Powerful Promotion Plan in a Month, a no-nonsense guide to earning a promotion. From choosing the optimal time to begin one's promotion campaign, to learning how to respectfully demonstrate one's value to one's employer with proof of performance, to proven scripts for asking for a raise, to negotiating the best salary possible, and much more, 30 Day Job Promotion is packed cover to cover with useful tips, tricks, and techniques. 30 Day Job Promotion is also a consumable book, with blank lines for the reader to write down how he or she is doing. An excellent, user-friendly tool to improving one's career station. "It's all about value. To effectively negotiate an increase in salary, you must first understand your value... If necessary, speak in generalities, such as, 'I'm confident if you check the numbers you will find that significant progress was achieved.'"

Part of JIST's "Best Jobs" series, 150 Best Jobs Through Military Training is a no-nonsense listing of 150 and 75 military job descriptions. Sorting the "best jobs" into best pay, fastest growth, and most openings, and grounding its recommendations firmly in the latest government data, 150 Best Jobs Through Military Training devotes roughly a page or more to each job entry, with a wealth of additional, more general information concerning possible career paths. Figures tell the reader at a glance the average annual earnings, growth rate, annual job openings, percent of self-employed workers, and percent of part-time workers for each job. An easy-to-use guide enthusiastically recommended for anyone serving in the military.

The Literary Shelf

Christopher Peterson (Visiting Assistant Professor of Literature, Claremont McKenna College, California) presents Kindred Specters: Death, Mourning, and American Affinity, an in-depth exploration of the themes of death, mourning, and violence as well as how they affect kinship relations in literary works such as Charles Chesnutt's "The Conjure Woman" and William Faulkner's "Absalom, Absalom!" Focusing specifically on American culture, Kindred Specters observes how non-normative forms of kinship (including interracial relationships and the fairly recent issue of gay marriage) have been relentlessly condemned to the extent that the abstract concept of death is projected upon and associated with them. Calling for the need to become aware of the mortality and mourning that form a cornerstone of all kinship relations, rather than unconsciously deny, extrude, and project fear and death upon "others" at every opportunity, Kindred Specters is a thought-provoking and rewarding philosophical discussion.

The Buddhist Studies Shelf

Despite its brightly colored, cartoon-like illustrations, The Legend of Mahaduta is not a children's picturebook; it is the faithful translation of an ancient Buddhist cautionary tale by the Buddhist Text Translation Society. Each two-page spread consists of storytelling text on the left, and a vibrant, aesthetically pleasing illustration on the right. Suitable for readers age eight to eighty and beyond, The Legend of Mahaduta follows the central theme that karma is inescapable - bad deeds bring about suffering to the doer as well as to the unfortunate recipient, and that suffering haunts the doer from lifetime to lifetime. Yet it is possible to break the chain of suffering perpetuated by bad deeds through enlightening one's thoughts and performing good deeds, as the Buddha himself showed. The bilingual Spanish and English text is straightforward and readily accessible to readers of all backgrounds; though the story speaks of serious topics such as cruelty, violence, death, and even suffering in hell, The Legend of Mahaduta is not gruesome in its verbal or visual descriptions - the focus is upon the moral of the story, not graphic shock value. Highly recommended as an easy-to-follow rendition of timeless classic spiritual wisdom.

The Psychology Shelf

Expertly compiled and deftly co-edited by James A. Shah (Associate Professor of Psychology and Marketing, Duke University) and Wendi L. Gardner (Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Northwestern University), "Handbook Of Motivational Science" is a 638-page compendium featuring thirty-nine articles covering diverse aspects of motivational psychology contributed by expert and experienced academicians, researchers and practitioners in the field. Beginning an historical perspective in the form of Susan T. Fiske's 'Core Social Motivations: View from the Couch, Consciousness, Classroom, Computers, and Collectibles", this outstanding and seminal contribution continues with essays and articles on the many forms and systems of motivation including 'Belongingness Motivation: A Mainspring of Social Action" by Mark R. Leary and Cody B. Cos; motivational systems including 'The Neuroevolution of Motivation' by Gary G. Berntson and John t. Cacioppo; as well as critical contributions to motivational processes and differences, as well as applications of motivational research. A seminal contribution to the growing library of information and data on motivational research, "Handbook Of Motivational Science" is an impressive body of scholarship and a core addition to any substantive academic library reference collection and Psychological Studies supplemental reading list.

The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Now in an affordable paperback edition, Dzur is the latest in the Vlad Taltos fantasy series following the renegade assassin Vlad and his wisecracking reptilian familiar Loiosh. In Dzur, Vlad has returned home after battling virtual gods, only to find his wife in trouble with an all-female organized crime cartel! The Left Hand of the Jhereg are women who specialize in illegal sorcery, and they've set their sights on controlling the portion of the Empire's capital city where the Easterners (human beings) live. Vlad already has the (mostly) male Right Hand of the Jhereg out to literally destroy his soul; even armed with a legendary Great Weapon, Vlad has no chance of taking on both Jhereg organizations without help. Fortunately, Vlad has friends. His newest acquaintance belongs to the House Dzur, known for ferocity, heroism, and charging recklessly into deadly situations! Part intrigue, part action-adventure, Dzur is a worthy addition to the series yet equally enjoyable as a stand-alone title. Highly recommended especially for fantasy action/adventure enthusiasts.

The Travel Shelf

Now in a newly revised and expanded eighth edition, "Hawaii" is the collaborative effort experienced travel writers Jeff Campbell, Glenda Bendure, Ned Friary, Molly Green, China Williams, and Luci Yamamoto. Adhering to the usual high standards for which have made Lonely Planet Publications the 'Gold Standard" of travel guides, "Hawaii" is profusely illustrated and showcases Hawaii's highlights, outdoor activities, and local sights. There is expansive surfing coverage along with all of the various island's top sports. From shopping, to dining, to lodgings, to entertainment, to sight-seeing adventures, "Hawaii" is enthusiastically recommended for its portability, comprehensiveness, and 'user friendly' organization.

The Genealogy Shelf

Family History In The Wars
William Spencer
The National Archives
c/o International Publishers Marketing
22841 Quicksilver Drive, Dulles, VA 20166
9781903365953, $12.95 www.internationalpubmarket.com 1-800-758-3756

Researched, compiled and organized by experienced and expert military information researcher William Spencer, "Family History In The Wars: How Your Ancestors Served Their Country" is a very specialized guide for genealogists and non-specialist general readers wanting to discover how their family members in previous generations served within any of the branches of the military. In addition to the general Army, Navy, and Air Force archival resources, this highly portable pocket-sized instructional reference also includes women's auxiliary and nursing units, merchant seamen, prisoner-of-war files, civil defense, casualty lists, medals and gallantry awards. A superbly organized compendium of tips and techniques, "Family History In The Wars" is confidently recommended for inclusion into personal, professional, and academic library Genealogical Studies and Military Studies reference collections.

The Hunting/Fishing Shelf

Author Tom Gatch's insights into fishing have been published in columns and articles for issues of "The Log, Southern California's #1 Boating & Fishing Newspaper" and "Baja Times". Hooked on Baja: Where & How To Fish Mexico's Legendary Waters distills Gatch's lifetime of experience into a handy and readily accessible guide for would-be Baja fishermen of all backgrounds. Chapters extend beyond the limits of a typical fishing handbook, discussing tips on how to purchase and legally secure real estate property on the Baja California peninsula, authentic south-of-the-border recipes, and true-life tales from Baja's well-known outdoors personalities as well as the basics about a wide variety of Baja fish species, Baja fishing maps, terminal tackle and fishing suggestions, and more. Black-and-white illustrations plus a handful of color photographs enhance this premier "must-have" for anyone seeking to enjoy catching fish south of the Mexican border.

The Environmental Studies Shelf

Written and packed with over 2700 full-color illustrations by naturalist and educator John Muir Laws, The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada is a pinpoint-accurate (through rigorous field testing) guidebook to the wide variety of Sierra natural life, including trees, wildflowers, ferns, fungi, lichens, fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, insects, and other small animals. Over 1700 species are described with indications of their behavior, adaptations, and interactions with other species. Additional information not found in other wildlife guides includes notes on animal tracks, seasonal star charts, weather patterns, cloud formations and much more. Highly recommended; if you bring only one flora and fauna identification guide to the Sierra Nevada, it should definitely be The Laws Field Guide!

The Vermont Life Guide to Fall Foliage: The Leaves and Landscape of a Northern Autumn is a guide for nature lovers to getting the most out of experiencing autumn in Vermont. Written for casual travelers and amateur naturalists alike, The Vermont Life Guide to Fall Foliage includes statewide walking, driving and bicycling tours; maps of tour routes; a handful of color photographs of natural communities and species; extensive black-and-white illustrations to facilitate tree and shrub identification; a list of extensive references and resources for further reading; and more. From an overview of the turn of the seasons in Vermont, to a tree-by-tree list of the most commonly found species, to discussions of the advantages and disadvantages of each walking tour available, The Vermont Life Guide to Fall Foliage solidly lives up to its title.

Authoritative, comprehensive, up-to-date, and 'user friendly', "The Official Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide 2008" is the collaborative effort of vintage guitar experts Alan Greenwood and Gil Hembres. Providing guitar enthusiasts, collectors, dealers, and owners with reliable and accurate pricing information laid out in an alphabetical order, "The Official Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide 2008" is illustrated with more than 1000 photos and provides summary information on more than 1500 brands. The premier single volume source of vintage guitar pricing, "The Official Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide 2008" covers electric and acoustic guitars, amplifiers, basses, effects, lap steels, ukuleles, mandolins, and banjos, so therefore it should also be considered a core addition to academic and community library Antiques & Collectibles reference collections.

William S. Spaulding and John t. Spaulding were prominent Bostonians who are best known today as art collectors who assembled their collections during the early decades of the twentieth century and to whom Boston's Museum of Fine Arts owes its gratitude for having such masterpieces as major European paintings by Gauguin, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Matisse, and others; as well as oils, watercolors, and drawings by such American masters as Hopper, Ken, and Home. The Spaulding's were also the major source of the archive of World War I propaganda posters and a world-renowned collection of Japanese prints held by the museum. In "Art Of Collecting: The Spaulding Brothers And Their Legacy", art historian and collector Frederic A. Sharf draws upon family papers and archival documents to tell the story of the Spauldings as members of Boston society, as architectural patrons, and as 'collectors of genius'. Superbly enhanced with a profusion of full color images revealing an illustrative spectrum of the Spaulding's collections, along with some period photographs, "Art Of Collecting" is not only a fascinating and enthusiastically recommended testament to the museum's holdings from the Spaulding's life-time collections, but an informed and informative revelation of the critically important role that collectors play in shaping what museums have to share with their visitors.

The Woodworking Shelf

Profusely illustrated on every page, "Puzzle Projects For Woodworkers" by life-long woodworker Allan J. Boardman showcases fourteen original wooden puzzle projects designed by expert members of the international puzzle community. Each project contains images of the finished pieces, line drawings, and thoroughly 'user friendly' construction suggestions. Each project also includes step-by-step details on building and exploiting special purpose jigs to improve precision, as well as professional tips for producing professional quality results. With a strong focus on woodworking methods, procedures and techniques, "Puzzle Projects For Woodworkers" will enable even the most novice of weekend woodworkers to create fun puzzle projects of the highest standard -- and acquire skill sets that will enable them to create larger projects beyond the making of wooden puzzles. "Puzzle Projects For Woodworkers" is an ideal and highly recommended addition to both personal and community library Woodworking reference collections.

The Judaic Studies Shelf

Deftly edited by Janet Greenstein Potter, "Celebrating The Jewish Year: The Winter Holidays" by Rabbi Paul Steinberg (Director of Jewish Studies and Hebrew at the Levine Academy: A Solomon Schechter School in Dallas, Texas) focuses upon three Jewish sacred events: Hanukkah, Tu b'Shevat, and Purim. Drawing from an impressive roster of original sources ranging from Maimonides, to Nachman of Bratzlav, to Theodor Herzle, Rabbi Steinberg provides readers with histories and insights into these Judaic celebrations including the prayers, rituals, and stories associated with each of them. A superb addition to personal, family, school and community library Judaic Studies reference collections, "Celebrating The Jewish Year" is very highly recommended and informative reading that will help the reader to crate a memorable holiday experience for themselves and their loved ones that will be enhanced in both meaning and spirit.

Dr. Ellot N. Dorff, Rector and Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the University of Judaism, presents The Way Into Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World), an in-depth introduction to the fundamental building blocks of belief and regulation grounding the Jewish commitment to improve the world. From the motivations offered by sacred texts, to the social and family relationships celebrated by Jewish tradition, to the definition of "tikkun olam" (identified as a wide range of moral and humanitarian duties), to the concept of an ideal world as illuminated by Judaism's understanding. "Many, many medieval and early modern rabbis were also physicians, involved in both clinical care and research. This vision of a world free of diseases imposes a duty on us to work toward that end as individuals. Some of us will work in health care directly, as doctors, nurses, medical social workers, chaplains, and volunteers. All of us have the duty to visit the sick, however distasteful we may find it... the Jewish tradition even provides some advice about how to overcome that discomfort and make your visit effective for both the patient and the visitor." A deserving finalist of the Jewish Book Council's National Jewish Book Awards, The Way Into Tikkun Olam is a respectful treatise that evenhandedly joins ancient spiritual wisdom with the needs of the modern-day world, and is highly recommended.

The Biography Shelf

"Mamie Doud: The General's First Lady" by Marilyn Irvin Holt (an independent historian and PBS documentary consultant) is a 208-page biography of the wife of Dwight David Eisenhower, the supreme commander of the allied forces in Europe during World War II, who then went on to become president of the United States during the opening years of what was to be known as the Cold War. Enhanced with thirty black-and-white photographs, Holt draws upon original source material in the Eisenhower Library to provide the reader with an informed and informative description of Mamie Doud Eisenhower within the context of her time as an ideal First Lady, a stylish grandmother devoted to her family, and a key influence on her husband's success throughout their marriage. A work of seminal scholarship, informed and informative, "Mamie Doud" is an excellent and highly recommended biography showcasing a most remarkable woman who was considered by her peers to be the perfect example of what a President's wife should be.

James J. Lorence (professor emeritus of history, University of Wisconsin-Marathon County) presents A Hard Journey: The Life of Don West is the biography of poet, ordained Congregationalist minister, labor organizer, educator, leftist activist, and political figure Don West, a twentieth-century American advocate for traditional religious values who dedicated himself to building a nonracist, egalitarian south. Chapters meticulously scrutinize West's adolescence, the passion with which he threw himself into his life's work, the ethical and religious roots of his dogged antifascism, and his lifelong determination to defend mountain culture and his advocacy for the rural poor. Extensive notes, a bibliography and an index round out this heavily researched account of a life well and dutifully lived.

The Metaphysical Studies Shelf

Biography of the Universe: The First Pulse of Time to the Present is not a repository of traditional hard science. Written by spiritualist David Williamson, Biography of the Universe is a unique narrative told in first person from the perspective of beings from alternate dimension, who chose to create a new reality to explore while simultaneously forgetting who they are, thus becoming transfixed in a state of amnesia within a singularity. Biography of the Universe brings the reader on a singularly epic journey, which offers parallels to the knowledge of earthbound minds in its rich repository of secrets to be discovered in the birth and growth of a universe. An influx of light, love, and higher consciousness permeate this captivating revelation.

The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

Based on the true story of the 1915 slaying of Jasper Jacob "Jap" Francis near the Ozark railroad town of Stoutland, Missouri, Murder on Rouse Hill is a dramatic tale of greed, fraud, political clout, and death-dealing of the cruelest kind. Jasper's accused killer was nearly lynched by the townsfolk, yet ultimately lived to the age of ninety-one. Murder on Rouse Hill tells of a young girl who unwittingly visited the murder site in 1928, then returned decades later as a spirited 84-year-old woman in the middle of bizarre events that could almost be described as supernatural. A handful of black-and-white photographs illustrate this engaging historical novel.

The American History Shelf

The Deadliest Indian War In The West
Gregory Michno
Caxton Press
312 Main Street, Caldwell, ID 83605-3299
9780870044601, $18.95 www.caxtonpress.com 1-800-657-6465

The history of the American West is a history of conflict between encroaching whites and defending Native Americans. One of the least known of these violent and bloody wars was a four year confrontation known as the Snake Conflict and took place between 1864 and 1868. Now western historian Gregory Michno has written a definitive history of a lethal and extended fight led by the Winnemucca tribe against the overwhelming forces of the Union Army. Enhanced with maps, an appendix, and a bibliography, Gregory Michno's "The Deadliest Indian War In The West: The Snake Conflict, 1864-1868" is a model of informative research and an impressively seminal work that is especially recommended reading, as well as an essential, core addition to academic and community library Native American Studies and 19th Century American History reference collections.

The Judicial Studies Shelf

Expertly compiled and deftly edited by Keith J. Bybee (Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and the Michael O. Sawyer Chair of Constitutional Law and Politics at Syracuse university's Maxwell School of citizenship and Public Affairs), "Bench Press: The Collision Of Courts, Politics, And The Media" is a collection of nine informed and informative essays ranging from Charles Gardner Geyh's 'Preserving Public Confidence in the Courts in an Age of Individual Rights and Public Skepticism'; to Joanne F. Alper's 'Selecting the Judiciary: Who Should Be the Judge?'; to Dahlia's Litwick's 'The Internet and the Judiciary: We Are All Experts Now'. Articulate, erudite, focused, thoughtful and thought-provoking, each of the nine essays is expertly written and together form a fascinating body of keen observation and scholarly commentary that make "Bench Press" an important, timely, and strongly recommended addition to academic and community library Judicial Studies and Journalism Studies reference collections, as well as the supplemental reading lists for law school and journalism school students..

The Parenting Shelf

"Positive Parenting: Raising Healthy Children From Birth To Three Years" by Dr. Alvin N. Eden (Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at the Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York and Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University) provides parents with a compendium of superbly presented advice with respect to the growth and development of a child at every stage during the first 36 months of life. A very highly recommended collection of insights, instructions, observations and commentary, Dr. Eden deals with a wide variety of issues ranging from building a baby's self-esteem, IQ and self-confidence, to preventing obesity or SIDS, and much more. Of special note is an exploration of the controversy regarding vaccines and the misuse of antibiotics and how iron intake combats lead poisoning. Dispelling common myths about child-rearing, "Positive Parenting" is highly recommended reading and an invaluable addition to family and community library Parenting Skills & Improvement reference collections and reading lists.

Enhanced with full color illustrations by Roderick MacIver, "Gifts From The Mountain: Simple Truths For Life's Complexities" by Eileen McDargh is a remarkable 114-page compendium of advisory truths for daily living that would be applicable to every man and woman regardless of their situation or circumstance in life. MacIver writes with a kind of lyrical metaphor when dealing with life's demands. The result is a collection of individual wisdoms that are universally applicable and enthusiastically recommended. 'Every Ounce Counts': Hike enough and you trim the weight/of what you carry. You learn that pita bread/weighs less than squaw bread; dried apples weight less than/trail mix; ramen and dried vegetables weigh even less/than some freeze-dried entrees. you discover/you can share a tube of toothpaste. Ditto deodorant,/sunscreen, and bug repellent.//How often do we encumber our civilized life with things/we WANT instead of things we truly need?//Choose what you carry carefully./I never saw a hearse with a U-haul behind.

The Religion/Spirituality Shelf

"The Popular Encyclopedia Of World Religions" by Richard Wolf provides non-specialist general readers with informed and informative descriptions of all of the world's major faiths. Thoroughly accurate and 'reader friendly', "The Popular Encyclopedia Of World Religions" explains the origins of each major world religion; provides an overview of the key beliefs and practices associated with those religions; and introduces the key leaders and teachers within those religions. Of special note for Christian readers is the provision of strategic 'contact points' to help build bridges with each of the non-Christian faiths -- and between the primary groups comprising contemporary Christianity. Informed and informative, "The Popular Encyclopedia Of World Religions" is very highly recommended for personal, church, seminary, and community library Religion & Spirituality reference collections.